Medical benefits are an important element of a total compensation package. Medical insurance is critical for employees, whether you work at Montgomery Eye Clinic or Peco Foods. There are approximately 1,500,000 people covered by healthcare in Alabama, regardless of where you work.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires businesses with more than 50 employees to provide health insurance to their workers. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. As a result, we've split out what medical benefits look like for both small corporations (1-50 employees) and big enterprises (51 or more employees).
67% of Alabama small firms with 57,000 employees offer medical benefits, and 67% of workers utilize the benefit. On average, if you're a tiny employer in Alabama, your organization pays for 77% of single employees' premiums and 62% of family premiums, costing you on average $428 per month for individuals and $996 per month for families. Employees must also pay an annual premium of $428 per single and $996 per family on average. Individual component ranges from $390 at the 25th percentile to $735 at the 75th percentile, while a family component is between $390 and $735.
Small businesses may design insurance coverage plans in a variety of methods. High deductible health plans are selected by 17% of employees, 9% select an HMO, and 48% select a PPO. Having numerous plan types to pick from allows for various levels of protection. This can be accomplished through a restricted network that accepts only specific PCPs, specialists, and hospitals or through an open network that offers access to a wide range of doctors and hospitals.
In Alabama, 33% of businesses provide a Health Savings Account (HSA) and 39% a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help workers manage their costs while still paying adequately. Either option is an excellent method for employees to save money on medical bills while also saving the employer money.
Dental benefits are covered by 26% of small businesses, whereas vision is only provided by 17%, which is far lower than big companies. This is a highly sought-after perk, with 74% using dental services and 78% utilizing vision services. As a result, when employers choose their comprehensive benefits package, both dental and vision are critical options.
In Alabama, over 1 million people are enrolled in medical programs through 34,000 large companies, with 74 percent of those benefiting from the benefit. Larger employers are generally able to offer more comprehensive medical insurance than smaller ones. On average, single workers in Alabama receive coverage for 79% of their monthly premiums and families for 70%. Employers pay a monthly premium of $486 per month on average for singles and $1230 per month for families on the employee side. Employees in Alabama must pay an average of $486 per month for single people and $1230 per month for families, with costs ranging from $76 each month for a family at the 25th percentile to $157 each month for a family at the 75th percentile. If you work with a few select Alabama major employers, though, you may benefit from 8.2% coverage of all medical expenditures for single individuals and 1.8 percent coverage of all expenses for families.
According to the employee demographics, plan types can be chosen for a variety of reasons. 55% of Alabama workers enrolled in PPO plans, 9% enrolled in HMOs, and 29% joined High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). The difference in plan type determines the extent of coverage available from providers. It also affects co-payments, deductibles, and other factors.
A crucial element of a complete benefits package is allowing staff to manage their medical costs in a tax-advantaged manner. What are your options? Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA) are popular choices. An HSA is available at 53 percent of large businesses in Alabama, while an FSA is accessible at 64% of these firms.
Large firms, on average, have a greater number of dental and vision plan options than small businesses. Large employers in Alabama provide dental coverage to their employees 50% of the time, with 79% taking advantage of that opportunity, and 34% offering vision care with 78% using it.
If you're searching for medical benefits, Mployer Advisor can help you choose a top insurance broker that specializes in your area. Whether you're a small or big company in Alabama, selecting an insurance broker is a crucial decision.